September 27, 2010 — I'm not quite sure where I stand on the weighty topic of extraterrestrials as part of the Halloween tradition. I mean, there’s definitely pop culture precedent. For instance, the trick-or-treat scene from Spielberg’s E.T. Kang and Kodos from The Simpsons. Spaced Invaders. The fact that the only time I ever hear Purple People Eater on the radio is Halloween time.

However, I’m not sure if I’m comfortable making this call based on pop culture. Pop culture is great for determining morality, figuring out one’s social responsibility, learning how to raise children, or answering the big philosophical questions in life. But Halloween’s a bit too important to leave to the whims of people who create in a corporate system. I think I'll just go with my candy apple-filled gut on this one.

You see, when kids trick-or-treat at my house, I always reserve the best candy for the ones who dress up as monsters. Kids in princess, pirate, and superhero costumes are cute, but they’re just not in line with the spirit of Halloween. In the past, if an alien came to my door with a pillowcase and a plea, I’d give him the monster share. So at least some part of me is okay with aliens being part of Halloween. With that in mind, I just posted an article on O.T.I.S. about my recent visit to the Second Annual Exeter UFO Festival in Exeter, NH.